Syllabus

Welcome to Space Science!


Course Description: Space Science is an advanced and rigorous science course for the college bound individual that covers the broad field of space science with an emphasis on astronomy, rocketry, and relativity. Space Science is inquiry-based and project intensive and will require students to use their past scientific knowledge to solve problems, analyze and apply scientific data, design projects, use computers to monitor progress, and learn to speak in a public forum.


Goals:


  1. Students will learn the basics of rocketry and astronomy
  2. Students will be ready for college level space science courses
  3. Students will develop safe and effective lab practices
  4. Have fun and learn something new and awesome!


Supplies These are the supplies to will be helpful for you to have in class.


Pens/Pencils

Notebook

Binder or Folder

Laptop


Expectations


My number one expectation of students is to BE RESPECTFUL.


Be Respectful of…


  • Your Peers by being polite and courteous to your classmates, sharing the space, and helping to create a positive environment
  • The Class by being on time everyday, remaining quiet and paying attention when the teacher or classmates are talking, using only appropriate language, and participating in class
  • The School by helping to maintain a clean and organized working space
  • Yourself by paying attention, asking questions, getting help when you need it doing the required work, and getting the most out of your time in this class


No cell phones in class: your cell phone should be on silent and in your bag unless you

are directed to use it by the teacher. If a phone is out, it will be confiscated until the end of

the day.


Hall Passes: If you need to leave the room, for any reason, you must have a hall pass. Hall

passes are good for 5 minutes, and you will only be allowed 5 per term. At the end of the

term, for each unused hall pass you have, you will receive extra credit points.


No food or drink in class except for water.


Computer usage is limited to only things that are related to academics. If there is

open work time you may be listening to music with headphones. If you are using your

computer for anything else you will be directed to put your computer away for the rest of

class. No playing video games at any time*.


Obey all lab safety rules posted.


Academic Integrity / Plagiarism: Any suspicion of cheating or plagiarism must be addressed by all parties concerned – including anyone suspected of helping someone else cheat/plagiarize. Plagiarism is attempting to use the words or ideas of another person without acknowledging the source. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and will result in an immediate zero on an assignment. Be respectful. Work hard.


Further rules and school policies can be found in the Program of Academic Study.


Consequences:


  1. Warning
  2. You owe me 5 minutes of your time
  3. Lunch Detention
  4. Phone call/email home
  5. Office Referral


Topics of Learning


Unit 1: Rocketry

Unit 2: Astronomy

Unit 3: Spatial relativity and orbital mechanics



Evaluation


90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

0- 69% = F

SET High follows a no ‘D’ policy.


Your grade will be based off the following categories:

Homework/Classwork: 20%

Assessment: 20%

Projects: 45%

Participation/Citizenship: 15%


Late Work: Each day that an assignment is late will result in a 5% point deduction on that assignment. You will have two weeks to turn in the assignment before it will no longer be accepted. No late projects will be accepted.


Tardies: Success in Space Science requires that you be on time every day for class. Being tardy will result in a loss of points in participation for the day.


Absences: If you are absent, make sure to check on your return what assignments you missed. You will have a number of extra days to complete those assignments equal to the number of days you missed (e.x. If you were absent two days, you get two extra days to complete an assignment before it becomes late).


Note to students and parents: Given the nature of this course, there will be some activities that students will be required to do outside of school. There are a limited number of places we can launch rockets in San Diego, and that may take time after school. Additionally, there will be at least one trip at night to observe the stars outside of the city that will take place after spring break. Participation in these activities will be a requirement.


A final note to students: Communication is key in this class. Please be sure to come talk to me at any time you have a question or a concern, and we will hopefully be able to work it out together. I recognize that life happens, so if at any time there is something preventing you from having a positive class experience, please come talk to me.